“The global climate is changing. We know that humans are responsible for a large portion of that change, which will have implications for Iowa.”

That is the central theme of a public forum set for Kirkwood Community College on Monday, Nov. 3 at 7 p.m. Kirkwood and several other colleges and community groups will host a “Connections” program in Ballantyne Auditorium on the main Kirkwood campus.

The free forum will feature Dr. Jerald Schnoor of The University of Iowa, speaking on “Mitigating and Responding to Climate Change in Iowa.” Schnoor is the Allen S. Henry Chair and professor of Civil and Environmental Engineering and co-director of the Center for Global and Regional Environmental Research.

Discussion will include what we know and how we can mitigate global warming while creating economic opportunities for the future. Policy options from the Iowa Climate Change Advisory Council and from the Midwest Governor’s Accord will be discussed.

In an academic career spanning nearly three decades, Schnoor has studied many aspects of environmental science, especially water quality, environmental protection and public policy. He has served in advisory and official capacities with the Environmental Protection Agency, National Research Council and others. Schnoor has won numerous awards, including distinguished lecturer honors at Yale, Iowa State and Massachusetts universities. In 1996 he received the Distinguished Fellows Award from the Iowa Academy of Science, the group’s highest honor.

The Connections Natural History Speaker Series is a cooperative project since 1993, bringing noted science professionals to the Cedar Rapids metro area for free, public discussions in the natural sciences. All fees for the program are provided by grants and private donations. Participating partners include the Linn County Conservation Department, Cedar Rapids Washington High School, Coe College, Cornell College, Mt. Mercy College, Linn County Environmental Council, Cedar Valley Rocks and Minerals Society and other organizations, as well as Kirkwood.